The National tribune., 1887-12-29

the rules of war that spy or scout shall work
Independently of everybody but the general
officer in whose service he may be acting at the
time. If he is discreet he will never talk of
his work to anybody except his own General.
There have been men detailed from their COM
panies and regiments for special duty at head
quarters, or perhaps sent off some place else who
were accomplished and successful spies, and not
even their company or regimental officers knew
of the fact that they were being so employed.
As l have said, there was always to be seen
in that beautiful square any number of people,
and ON this October morning it seemed as If
every person who wanted to go to any place IN
the city made it convenient to walk through
the square to their destination.
There was eternally Confederate soldiers and
officers loafing about on the benches l had
become so accustomed to the boys in gray, in
the streets, that l had forgotten TO be at all
afraid to meet with and to talk to them. This
morning in particular / was perhaps unduly
reckless, because l was so eager to obtain some
further information about this advance.
Seeing group of
THREE NICE-LooKING SOLDIERS
talking together little distance from where I
was, determined to join them. a group of
three soldiers on lark was not exactly the
source that would have applied to for infor-
nation of an army's proposed movement six
months later but, as have said, was young
then and fresh.
I approached and addressed the boys by a
mild and meek inquiry as to how to enlist in
our" army. This was question that inter
ested them all, and every fellow was at once
eager to give me the desired information, which
was to the effect that each had the very best
Captain in the army.
They belonged to Louisiana they said, and
were all from New Orleans, and Were on thSir
way then to join the army at Manassas,
how RnhIpoTa1 fba do
and were lying over until the officer in charge
secured necessary transportation. l urged
to go with them. They declared there was to
be some great fun soon, and that their officers
knew all about it, and had told them of the
plans for the campaign. The story they had
did not differ materially from that had heard
from our own boys, but judged that as they
were just from New Orleans they could not
know much more about the army at Manassas
than l did. While we talked together during
| these few moments we stood in close group
on one of the broad walks; the conversation
was carried on with such degree of earnest
ness-on their part-that we scarcely noticed
the persons who were constantly passing u.s.
until one of the Virginia police soldiers came
up to us and politely ordered the crowd not to
| block up the way.
The police soldier walked Off a little piece,
and then taking position where two paths
| Joined, he stood like one of the statues for a
moment; then, as if suddenly imbued with life
! his arms flew about as he brought his gun to a
present" Passing him were two gentlemen
! one quite portly and red-faced; the other, q
! slender thin faced gentleman, in dark suit oi
! steel gray. AS they came closer we ali watched
| to see who they might be, as the guard had sa-
/ luted. The bg-faced gentleman was doing al
! the talking; the thin-faced one was-close to me
4 before | recognized him. He was so intent on
! hearing the old mans talk that he did not look
toward us at ali, and after they had passed
| said TO the soldiers:
tThat's President Davis"
They were, Of course, all anxious to get an
! other glimpse Of their great man, and one o
/ them hastily followed after, while one Of the
others said in his slow, deliberate way:
. thought so, because he looked just like {
| Confederate postage stamp"
AT that time Mr.. Dayis's picture was on the
! stamps recently issued.
/ took this opportunity to get away from
| them by saying that l must join one of our Owl
Maryland regiments, and started off as if
must find one right away.
To be conti1lued